Police sets its sight on a 'Datuk Seri' charged by US' DOJ for wildlife trafficking

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Police will continue to keep a vigilant eye on one Teo Boon Ching, who was extradited to the United States (US) over his alleged involvement endangered wildlife trafficking and money laundering.

Its secretary Datuk Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin said while checks showed that none of the offences allegedly committed by Teo involved Malaysia; the police will remain vigilant in monitoring him.

"The Police and the Wildlife Crime Bureau always follow developments concerning Teo Boon Ching, who has been extradited to the US and charged with wildlife trafficking under the Money Laundering Act (US) on Oct 7, 2022," she said in a statement today.

Noorsiah said Malaysian police would always cooperate with enforcement agencies within and outside the country to combat the smuggling of wildlife.

Teo (said to be a Datuk Seri), 57, was charged with participating in a conspiracy to traffic in more than 70 kg of rhinoceros horns valued at more than US$725,000 (RM3.37 million), the US Department of Justice said in a statement.

It said Teo was arrested in Thailand on June 29 at the request of the US pursuant to a bilateral extradition treaty.

He was extradited to the US on Friday (Oct 7) to face his charges. -- Bernama